Content Item: Rich Content

You can use the Rich Content page to create content and to see and edit HTML content associated with the currently selected content item. It also provides a preview of the currently saved rich content. If included in any given email communication, this content item information is rendered according to the standards associated with that email.

Note: A content item can contain all types of information that an email can contain. The only exception is that a content item cannot contain other content items or content rule sets. A content item is, in most respects, simply a chunk of an email communication that has been defined as a reusable email component and assigned its own reference tag.

The Rich Content of a Content Item

You can use the Rich Content page to create a set of rich content HTML code (including links) that you can use as a preassembled component when you are constructing an email communication. If you intend to insert a content item into an email by applying a content rules set, the content item should be suitable for use as an interchangeable component that can be replaced by alternative content items. The selection of the content item to be inserted depends on the targeting rules set up in the content rule set.

Fields and Features

Preview
Click this button to see a preview of the displayed code for this content item, as it is currently displayed in this Rich Content page. This is displayed in the Preview dialog box.
Current Personalization and Default Personalization
In the Preview dialog box, you can click Current Personalization to get a slightly better sense of how the text is displayed when an individual customer is associated with the email. Similarly, you can click Default Personalization to get a sense of how the text is displayed when no individual customer is associated with the email and the default values are displayed.
Field Type
Use this drop-down selector to choose the type of field code you want to generate. By first selecting the type of field you want to use, you can narrow down the list of fields from which you can select. Your selection of Field Type can also change the other field selections you must use, as follows:
  • If you choose General, a Default data entry field is displayed in addition to the Field drop-down selector. See the entry on the Default field.
  • If you choose Offers, another (untitled) drop-down selection box is displayed after Field. From this selection, choose each piece of offer data to be generated; for example, the offer headline, description, qualification End date or expiration date.
  • If you choose Main Program, another (untitled) drop-down selection box is displayed after Field. From this selection, choose a piece of fundamental main program data to be generated.
  • If you choose Trackable URL, it is followed by a text entry box labeled "Name", which is followed by another labeled "URL". You can use the Name field to enter a short name that you want to substitute for the URL that you copy into the URL field. The name that you enter is displayed on any reports and displays that show trackable URL data. You must supply the URL text and make sure that it is correct. Although CRMS can determine whether the URL satisfies the basic requirements for a URL string, it cannot validate that an apparently legal string actually refers to the URL you meant to track.
Field
Use this drop-down selector to choose the field you want to generate. The fields displayed are of the Field Type you selected.

For example, if you set Field Type to URLs, the Field drop-down selector list displays reference tags that refer to the defined list of loyalty program URLs, and you might see a listing that includes Signup, My Account, and Refer a Friend.

Note: If you have created a custom attribute field that records some unique piece of data about your customers, you can personalize your emails for each customer by adding this unique attribute to each email. Although custom attribute fields that you define in CRMS are not listed in the standard drop-down selection boxes, they can be added to an email communication.
Default
Use this field to specify the default text to be inserted in the email if a customer specific field cannot be populated. For example, if the customer's name cannot be provided in an opening address, you might substitute a generic term, so that the opening reads, "Dear Valued Customer," or something no worse.
Generate
Click this button to generate a reference tag that you can insert into the email template.
Generated
This field contains the generated reference tag, which represents the field, default data, program data, or name and URL that you selected. Copy the generated field and paste it into the template in the appropriate location.
Note: JavaScript is not allowed in email. All modern email clients disallow the use of JavaScript within email due to security concerns. If you copy and paste HTML from a web page, be aware that it might contain JavaScript or other tags, such as Flash EMBED and OBJECT tags, that might not render as expected or can cause failure or rejection of the email.
Note: Few email clients correctly support CSS in email. It is a good practice to perform formatting with inline style definitions, not classes.